ORIGINAL: WindsorArcher
I think Cougar's point about the farmer is right on the money. Speaking of which, what if you're leasing the hunting rights from him? I know that's a common practice around my area. So, you've paid for the access to the land. You got the advice from the farmer, and you got your trophy deer. How is your dead, paid-for animal different from the dead, paid-for animal taken from a guide? I just don't see the difference.
On the lease you still had to work for your deer. Find stand sites, clear shooting lanes, figure the deer's patterns, etc.Chances are, and I'll say it again, there probably wasn't a strict QDM program set up on the leased land before you paid for it.
The outfitter does all that for you.
In one case
you're paying for the right to hunt theland, the chance to shoot a decent buck. On the other hand, with an outfitter
you're paying for the trophy deer.